Brochure For Ghs National Health Research Dissemination Forum

NATIONAL
HEALTH RESEARCH
DISSEMINATION FORUM

5TH-6TH
MAY
2022
Disclaimer
This brochure contains original abstracts of research work conducted within the
Ghana Health Service as well as collaborative work with other partner institutions.
The organisers take no responsibility for the content or any typographical errors in
the text.
NATIONAL
HEALTH RESEARCH
DISSEMINATION FORUM

5TH-6TH
MAY
2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 FOREWORD...........................................................................................................................5
2 BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION................................................................................7
2.1 SUB-THEMES..........................................................................................................7
2.2 APPROACH.............................................................................................................7
3 PROGRAMME......................................................................................................................8
4 PROFILE OF SPEAKER..................................................................................................13
5 PROFILES OF CHAIRPERSONS..................................................................................15
6 ORAL PRESENTATIONS................................................................................................26
2022 National Research Disssemination Forum I 01

2022 National Research Disssemination Forum
6.1 Health Service Capacity Assessment in the Context of the COVID-19

pandemic: Results of Round 2......................................................................................26
6.2 RTS,S Malaria Vaccine: From Research to Policy.......................................................27
6.3 COVID-19 Vaccination Trials in Ghana.......................................................................28
6.4 Improving Maternal and New-born Care with IUD Service Provision Using
Task-Sharing Framework in the Central Region, Ghana........................................29
6.5 Lessons from the Integrated MOPV2 and Vitamin A Supplementation Cam
paign in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic in Ghana.........................................30
6.6 Improving Pre-Discharge Postnatal Counselling Using a Context Specific

Structured Strategy in the Ga West Municipality, Greater Accra of Ghana........32
6.7 Challenges and Facilitators to the Provision of Sexual, Reproductive Health

and Rights Services in Ghana.......................................................................................33
6.8 Electronic Health Records (EHR) System and Health Service Delivery in the
Central Region, Ghana...................................................................................................34
6.9 Feasibility and Acceptability of Open Source for Local Manufacture of Digital
Diagnosis and Routine Use in the Health System: Exploring the Views of
Ghanaians Stakeholders................................................................................................35
6.10 Reporting Adverse Events Following Immunization in Ghana: Health Care

Workers Experiences in the Northern Regions..........................................................36
6.11 Assessment of Compliance to Policy Guidelines on Hazardous Healthcare

Waste Management in Hospitals in the Greater Accra Region.............................37
6.12 Evaluating the Implementation of Ghana’s Infection Prevention and

Control Policy Guideline in Regional and District Hospitals.................................38

6.13 Improved Access, Delayed Accreditation, Low Recognition: Perspectives

of Mental Health Educators, Preceptors and Students on the Kintampo
Project in Ghana..............................................................................................................40
6.14 Preceptorship Practice in Health Care Institutions in Ghana: Situational

Analysis.............................................................................................................................41
6.15 Mentoring in Primary Healthcare Facilities: An Evaluation Case Study of

a Cohort of Nurses in Talensi District..........................................................................42
6.16 A Study of The Knowledge and Perception of Pharmacists in Ghana

Towards the Medicine Reimbursement Policies of The
National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)...............................................................43
6.17 Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Hospital

Pharmacy Staff on Antimicrobial Stewardship in Ho Municipality....................44
6.18 Carotid Atherosclerosis, Microalbuminuria and Estimated 10-year

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Sub-Saharan Africa..................45
6.19 Determinants of Health Seeking Behavior in Jasikan District, Ghana ..............47
6.20 Barriers to Accessing Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Services among

Deaf Women in Krachi West District: A Quantitative Study..................................48
6.21 Patient Safety in Ghanaian hospitals: A Situational Analysis...............................49
6.22 Birth Preparedness and Compilation Readiness among Women

Attending Group Antenatal Care and those Receiving Focus Antenatal Care
in the Eastern Region......................................................................................................50
6.23 Antenatal, Intrapartum and Postnatal Care: A Prospective, Longitudinal

Study of Maternal and Newborn Health of the Pregnancy Risk Stratification
Innovation and Measurement Alliance (PRiSMA)...................................................52

6.24 Factors Associated with Provision of Person-Centre Maternity Care Role

of Provider Burnout and Bias........................................................................................53
6.25 Women’s Autonomy and Neonatal, Infant and Under Five Mortality in
Upper East Region...........................................................................................................55
6.26 Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine Resistance and Impact on Birthweight

of New-borns in a Malaria Endemic Area.................................................................56
6.27 Quality of Malaria Case Management in Ghana......................................................57
6.28 The Prevalence of Plasmodium Falciparum Dihydrofolate Reductase and

Dihydropteroate Synthase Mutations among Pregnant Women at First
Antenatal Clinic Attendance in the Forest-Savannah Area of Ghana ..............58
6.29 Community and Health Worker Antimicrobial Adherence in Shai-Doku

District................................................................................................................................59
6.30 Cultural Complexities Associated with Inappropriate Antibiotic use in

Rural Ghana.....................................................................................................................60
6.31 Using Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Nurses (CHNs) for Home
Visits to Pregnant Women, to Improve Maternal and Newborn Health in
Ghana................................................................................................................................61
6.32 COVID-19 Vaccine Readiness and Hesitancy among Adults in SSA:

Current Burden and Determinants of Hesitancy.....................................................63
6.33 COVID-19 Knowledge, Attitude and Accountability of Vaccines:

An Exploratory Study of Greater Bolga- Navrongo Area.......................................65
6.34 The Impact of COVID-19 on Access to Maternal and Child Healthcare

Services in the Middle Belt of Ghana..........................................................................66

FOREWORD
The Research and Development Division – Ghana Health Service (RDD-GHS) was
established to facilitate capacity development for health-related research and the
utilization of the generated empirical results at the different levels of the health
sector. Consequently, the mandate of RDD-GHS is built on identifying priority
research areas to strengthen health service delivery. To this effect, the RDD-GHS
provides evidence-based information and guidance, targeted at aiding policy
formulation and program implementation within the Service. The essence of
health-related research in the Ghana Health Service is to respond to questions
emanating from program managers and policymakers.
Accordingly, the RDD-GHS holds an annual National Health Research Dissemination

Forum (NHRDF) to communicate the empirical findings from different research to
aid policy formulation. The collaborating organizations for the 2022 NHRDF include
UNICEF/Ghana, Grand Challenges/Canada, Kintampo Health Research Center,
Dodowa Health Research Center, and Navrongo Health Research Center.
The 2022 NHRDF theme is “Generating Evidence to Support Health Service

Delivery.” The sub-themes include Health Policy, Service Delivery, Health
Management Information Systems, and Health Care Workers Education. The
main and sub-themes will allow our distinguished guests and researchers to discuss
the research findings from the different studies and map out their implications for
policy enhancement and practice in health service delivery in Ghana.
To encourage the “research to policy and practice” objective, the 2022 NHRDF allows
for in-depth discussions after each session. Thus each discussion session would be
centred on bridging the gap between research and practice, thereby relating the
findings of the studies presented to implications on policy and practice in health
service delivery in Ghana.

This brochure contains abstracts from studies that have been conducted across the
this year’s National Research Dissemination Forum.
We, therefore, look forward to a fruitful discussion on each of the presentations.

You are all welcome to the 2022 National Research Dissemination Forum. Our
gratitude to all our partners, researchers, and presenters. To our partners, we are
Our profound gratitude to our researchers and presenters who willingly submitted
the abstracts of their studies and contributed in diverse ways to the success of
this dissemination forum. We are grateful to all our guests for attending the 2022
Dr. Abraham Oduro

Director Research and Development Division
Ghana Health Service

2 BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION
The over-arching theme for the 2022 NHRDF was generated through the
compilation of the various studies submitted to the Ethics Review Committee and
was completed in 2021. Although these studies had different foci, the main aim was
to provide empirical evidence to support health delivery in Ghana. Consequently,
the theme for the 2022 National Research Dissemination Forum is: Generating
Evidence to Support Health Service Delivery
2.1 SUB-THEMES
The sub-themes of the over-arching themes were inspired by the various

categorizations of the studies to be presented.
The sub-themes are: Health Policy, Service Delivery, Health Management

Information Systems, and Health Care Workers Education.
2.2 APPROACH
The dissemination forum provides researchers/scientists the opportunity to share

their research findings with a large audience. Also, the forum gives researchers/
scientists and practitioners the platform to link the findings of the various studies
to policy and practical implications with the health of improving service delivery
in Ghana.
The 2022 NHRDF is a 2-day event. In total, there will be 33 oral presentations in
one breakout session. The oral presentations are organized based on the four sub-
themes. A call was placed to researchers/scientists who submitted their protocols
to ERC, seeking their interest in presenting at the 2022 NHRDF. The selection was
based on 2021 submitted protocols and projects completed the same year. The
researchers/scientists who agreed to the call were then asked to submit their
protocols based on certain specifications.

PROGRAMME
GHS NATIONAL HEALTH RESEARCH
DISSEMINATION FORUM
THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2022
GIMPA EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE ROOM
Time Agenda Presenter

8:45 – 9:00 Registration
Opening Ceremony
9:00 – 9:05 Opening prayer Ms. Mary Duffie Osei
9:05 –9:10 Welcome and Introduction of Chairperson Dr. Ivy Osei
9:10 – 9:15 Chairs Opening Remarks Dr. Anthony Ofosu
9:15 – 9:25 Overview of Research in Ghana Health Service Dr. Abraham Oduro
9:25 – 9:35 Statement by Health Partners UNICEF
9:35 – 9:55 Plenary Presentation- Fostering Functional Dr. Charity Sarpong
Linkages between National Health
Programmes/Service
9:45 – 9:55 Statements Dir.-General, GHS &
Hon. Minister of Health
9:55 – 10:00 Chairman’s Remarks Dr. Anthony Ofosu
10:00 – 10:20 Snack Break and Poster Viewing
Plenary Session 1
Chairperson: Dr. Marion Okoh (Director, Western North Regional Health Directorate, GHS)
10:20 – 10:40 Health Service Capacity Assessment in the Dr. Cornelius Debpuur
Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results of
Round 2
10:40 – 11:00 RTS,S Malaria Vaccine: From Research to Policy Dr. Kwaku Poku Asante
11:00 – 11:20 COVID-19 Vaccine Trial Updates Dr. Nana Akosua Ansah
11:20 – 11:40 Q&A All
Plenary Session 2
Chairperson: Dr. Kofi Issah (Director Family Health Division,GHS)
11:40 – 12:00 Improving Maternal and Newborn Care with IUD Ms. Sybil Sory
Service Provision Using a Task-Sharing
Framework in the Central Region, Ghana
12:00 – 12:20 Lessons from the Integrated MOPV 2 and Vitamin Ms. Hubeidatu Nuhu
A Supplementation Campaign in the Context of
COVID-19 Pandemic in Ghana

12:20 – 12:40 Improving Pre-Discharge Postnatal Counseling Dr. Ivy Osei

Using a Context Specific Structured Strategy in
the Ga West Municipality, Greater Accra Region
of Ghana
12:40 – 1:10 Challenges and Facilitators to the Provision of Dr. James Akazili
Sexual, Reproductive Health and Rights Services
in Ghana
1:10 – 2:10 Q&A All
2:10 – 3:00 Lunch Break and Poster Viewing
Breakout Session 1 (Health Management Information System (HMIS)
Chairperson: Dr. Anthony Ofosu (Deputy Director General - GHS)
3:00 – 3:05 Session Coordinator Dr. Edith Wellington
3:05 – 3:20 1. Electronic Health Records (EHR) System and Dr. Edward Agyeman
Health Service Delivery in the Central Region of
Ghana
3:20 – 3:35 2. Feasibility and Acceptability of Open Source Prof. Evelyn Ansah
for Local Manufacture of Digital Diagnosis and
Routine Use in the Health System: Exploring the
Views of Ghanaians Stakeholders
3:35 – 3:50 3. Reporting Adverse Events Following Dr Nana Akosua Ansah
Immunization in Ghana: Health Care Workers
Experiences in the Northern Regions
3:50 – 4:00 Q&A All
Breakout Session 2 (Health Policy)
Chairperson: Dr. Andrews Ayim (Deputy Director – PPME, GHS)
3:00 – 3:05 Session Coordinator Dr. Naa Korkor Allotey
3:05 – 3:20 1. Assessment of Compliance to Policy Guidelines Mr. Daniel Selasi Agoha
on Hazardous Healthcare Waste Management in
Hospitals in The Greater Accra Region
3:20 – 3:35 2. Evaluating the Implementation of Ghana’s Mad. Serwah Amoah
Infection Prevention and Control Policy Guideline
in Regional and District Hospitals
3:35 – 3:50 3. Improved Access, Delayed Accreditation, Low Mrs. Mary Pomaa Agyekum
Recognition: “Perspectives of Mental Health
Educators, Preceptors and Students on The
Kintampo Project in Ghana”
3:50 – 4:00 Q&A All
Breakout Session 3 (Healthcare Workers Education)
Chairperson: Mr. Peter Obiri-Yeboah Esq. (Ag Director HRD)
3:00 – 3:05 Session Coordinator Dr. Ivy Osei
3:05 – 3:15 1. Preceptorship Practice in Health Care Dr. Ivy Sackey
Institutions Ghana: Situational Analysis

Institutions Ghana: Situational Analysis

3:15 – 3:25 2. Mentoring in Primary Healthcare Facilities: An Mad. Harriet Mijimah Nyewan
Evaluation Case Study of a Cohort of Nurses in
Talensi District
3:25 – 3:35 3. Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Mrs. Araba Hutton-Nyameaye
Practice of Hospital Pharmacy Staff on
Antimicrobial Stewardship in Ho Municipality
3:35 – 3:45 4. A study of the knowledge and perception of Mad. Ruby A. Mensah Annan
pharmacist in Ghana towards the medicine
reimbursement policies of the national health
insurance scheme
3:45 – 4:00 Q&A All
Breakout Session 4 (Service Delivery)
Chairperson: Dr. Salamatu Attah Nantogma (DDCC, GAR)
3:00 – 3:05 Session Coordinator Dr. Helen N. O. Akaba
3:05 – 3:15 1. Carotid Atherosclerosis, Microalbuminuria and Dr. Engelbert A. Nonterah
Estimated 10-Year Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular
Disease Risk in Sub-Saharan Africa
3:15 – 3:25 2. Determinants of Health Finding Behaviour in Pharm. Courage Edem Ketor
Jasikan District, Ghana
3:25 – 3:35 3. Barriers to Accessing Sexual and Reproductive Dr. John K. Agbenyavu
Healthcare Services Among Deaf Women in
Krachi West District: A Quantitative Study
3:35 – 3:45 4. Patients Safety in Ghanaian Hospitals: A Dr. Mary Ashinyo
Situational Analysis
3:45 – 4:00 Q&A All
4:05 – 4:30 Plenary Discussion
4:30 – 4:45 Remarks by Chairperson Dr. Anthony Ofosu
Closing

FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2022

GIMPA EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE ROOM
Time Agenda Presenter

9:00 – 9:05 Opening Prayer Mr. Daniel Aboagye
9:05 – 9:15 Recap of Previous Day’s Activities Mrs Nana Abena Apatu
Plenary Session 1
Chairperson: Dr. Fred Adomako Boateng (Bono East Regional Director of Health Services)
9:15 – 9:30 Birth Preparedness and Compilation Readiness Veronica Apetorgbor
Among Women Attending Group Antenatal Care
and Those Receiving Focus Antenatal Care in The
Eastern Region
9:30 – 9:45 Antenatal, Intrapartum and Postnatal Care: A Mad. Charlotte Tawiah
Prospective, Longitudinal Study of Maternal and Agyemang
Newborn Health of the Pregnancy Risk
Stratification Innovation and Measurement
Alliance (Prisma)
9:45 – 10:00 Factors Associated with Provision of Person- Dr. Raymond Aborigo
Centre Maternity Care: Role of Provider Burnout
and Bias
10:00 – 10:15 Women’s Autonomy and Neonatal, Infant and Dr. Sebastian Achana
Under Five Mortality in Upper East Region
10:15 – 10:50 Q&A All
10:50 – 11:30 Snack Break and Poster Viewing
Plenary Session 2
Chairperson: Dr. Kezia Malm (Programs Manager - NMCP)
11:30 – 11:45 Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine Resistance and Impact Dr. Latifatu Alhassan
on Birthweight of New-Borns in a Malaria
Endemic Area.
11:45 – 12:00 Quality of Malaria Case Management in Ghana Dr. Thomas Anyorigiya
12:00 – 12:15 The Prevalence of Plasmodium Dr. David Dosoo
Falciparum Dihydrofolate Reductase and
Dihydropteroate Synthase Mutations Among
Pregnant Women at First Antenatal Clinic
Attendance in The Forest-Savannah Area of
Ghana
12:15– 12:35 Q&A All

Plenary Session 3
Chairperson: Dr. Stephen Ayisi-Addo (Programs Manager, NACP)
12:35 – 12:50 Community and Health Worker Antimicrobial Ms. Selase Odopey
Adherence Practices in Shai-Osudoku District
12:50 – 1:05 Cultural Complexities Associated with Mr. Samuel Afari-Asiedu
Inappropriate Antibiotic Use in Rural Ghana.
1:05 – 1:20 Using Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Dr. Marion Okoh-Owusu
Nurses for Home Visits to Pregnant Women, to
Improve Maternal and Newborn Health in Ghana
1:20 – 2:00 Q&A All
2:00 – 2:40 Lunch Break and Poster Viewing
Plenary Session 4
Chairperson: Dr. Mary Ashinyo (Deputy Director, ICD)
2:40 – 2:55 COVID-19 Vaccine Readiness and Hesitancy Dr. Sulemana Watara
Among Adults in SSA: Current Burden and Abubakari
Determinants of Hesitancy
2:55 – 3:10 COVID-19: Knowledge, Attitude and Mr. Francis Broni
Accountability of Vaccines: An Exploratory Study
of Greater Bolga- Navrongo Area
3:10 – 3:25 Impact Of COVID-19 on Access to Healthcare Dr. Cletus Kubasari
Services in the Middle Belt of Ghana.
3:25 – 3:45 Q&A All
3:45 – 4:10 Open Forum Dr. Abraham Oduro
Way Forward
Closing Chairperson

PROFILE
OF
SPEAKER

D
r. Mrs. Charity Sarpong is the
current Regional Director of
Health service, Greater Accra. Dr.
(Mrs.) Charity Sarpong is a Public
Health Physician Specialist with over 31
years of experience in the Health Sector.
She has extensive experience in Health
System building, Management, Quality
Assurance/Quality Improvement and
Policy Formulation.
She is also a seasoned hospital leadership

and management expert with over 14 years
of experience in hospital management at
DR. MRS. CHARITY SARPONG both the regional and district level. She
Greater Accra Regional Director of has worked as the Medical Director of
Health Service Greater Accra Regional Hospital and Tema
Ghana Health Service General Hospital and the Head of Human
Resource and Regional Training Unit at the
Greater Accra Regional Health Directorate

PROFILES
OF
CHAIRPERSONS

D
r. Ofosu is the Deputy Director
General of the GHS and a
Senior Public Health Physician
with interest in health system
strengthening and using ICT to address
service bottlenecks. He is a fellow of the
Ghana College of Physicians and also
holds an MSc in Epidemiology from the
London School of Tropical Medicine and
Hygiene.
He has over 28 years of experience in

the public health sector, 27 years of
which have been in leadership and
DR. ANTHONY OFOSU senior management positions. He was
Deputy Director General formerly the Deputy Director in charge of
Ghana Health Service Information Monitoring and Evaluation
Department under the PPMED. In that
position, he was instrumental in improving
the health information system, which
included leading in the nation-wide roll
out of the DHIS2 and e-tracker for primary
health care facilities.

D
r. Oduro is the Director of Research
and Development of Ghana Health
Service. Prior to this appointment,
he was the Deputy Director in charge of
the Navrongo Health Research Centre. He
is a trained medical doctor from Kwame
Nkrumah University of Science and Tech-
nology with a licensure from the Ghana
Medical and Dental Council.
Dr. Oduro has over twenty year’s uninterrupt-

ed experience in health research practice
working on several clinical, epidemiological,
demographic and innovative studies in Gha-
na. At the outset he practiced as a Medical
Doctor at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hos-
DR. ABRAHAM ODURO pital in Kumasi and War Memorial Hospital in
Director Research and Navrongo.
Development Division

D
r. Andrews Ayim is the Deputy
Director Policy at the PPMED of
the Ghana Health Service (GHS)
and a Public Health Specialist
whose job entails ensuring the develop-
ment of GHS Strategic policies and plans
to contribute to the development of na-
tional health policies
He is also a training coordinator at Faculty

of Public Health in the Ghana College of
Physicians and Surgeons (GCPS) in Accra
where he facilitates the training of the
Health Policy and Systems course. His
DR. ANDREWS AYIM research interest is in decentralization,
Deputy Director Policy, PPMED concepts of power and decision space in
Ghana Health Service the implementation of policies.

P
eter is a Human Resource Man-
agement Practitioner and a Lawyer
with over 20 years’ work experience
in GHS. He holds professional Law Certifi-
cate from the Ghana School of Law, EMBA
(HRM option) from the UG Business School.
He served as the Regional HR Manager for
Western Region, Head of Recruitments as
well as Deputy Director at HRDD.
In addition to his key duties, he provides le-

gal support to the GHS in resolving several
labour issues. He leads the development
of various HR policies and manuals; review
of job descriptions, establishment of ap-
MR. PETER OBIRI-YEBOAH ESQ propriate grading structures for new and
Ag. Director. emerging professions and facilitated sever-
Human Resources Directorate al orientation and training programmes for
Ghana Health Service employees. He is currently serving as the
Acting.

D
r. Keziah L. Malm (MBCHB, MPH,
PhD, FGCP) a Consultant Public
Health Physician specialized in
epidemiology with a distinguished
career in malaria. She is a Fellow of the Ghana
College of Physicians and Surgeons, Faculty of
Public Health and also holds a PHD in Public
Health.
Dr. Malm occupies vital roles in academia

and research from her engagements in
public health. At the School of Public
Health, University of Ghana, she served as
Academic Coordinator for the Workshop on
M&E for Malaria Planning since its inception
DR. KEZIA MALM in 2010 till 2016 and currently facilitates the
Consultant Public Health Physician coursework.
Specialized in Epidemiology
At the global level, Dr. Malm has contributed
to the fight against malaria by serving as a consultant to different organizations and
countries, sitting on WHO committees, and contributing immensely to international
technical meetings. She just ended her term as one of the Co-Chairs of the RBM
Vector Control Working Group.
An author of several articles in public health and disease control including the
recent chapter on malaria in the Oxford Book of Global Public Health, Dr. Malm has
been instrumental in the development of several national guidelines and plans for
malaria control in the African region. She is currently the programme manager of
the National Malaria Control Programme leading the fight against malaria in Ghana.

D
r. Adomako-Boateng is a Consultant
Public Health Specialist and currently
the Regional Director of Health Ser-
vice, Bono East Region. He is a fellow of West
African College of Physicians (FWACP)–
Community Health and holds B.Sc (Human
Biology); MBChB from Kwame Nkrumah
University Science and Technology, Master
of Public Health (MPH) from University of
Ghana. In addition, he has obtained several
certificates in short courses including Certif-
icate in Cardiovascular Disease, Diploma in
Virtual Human Resource Management Pro-
gram and a Master Trainer in Helping Babies
DR. FRED ADOMAKO BOATENG Breathe (HBB).
Bono East Regional Director
Ghana Health Service Dr. Fred Adomako-Boateng has worked in
different capacities at GHS, Deputy Direc-
tor Clinical Care and Head of Surveillance at
Ashanti Regional Health Directorate.
Head of Public Health Unit for Bantama Sub metro and Suntreso Government Hospital.
He has contributed to a number of policies and training manual for the Service includ-
ing the Supportive Supervision, Infection Prevention and Control.
He is also a part-time lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah Science and Technology and has
various publications to his credit ranging from topics including non-communicable
diseases and quality of care.

D
r. Stephen Ayisi Addo is the Head
of the National AIDS Control Pro-
gramme (NACP). He leads in the
implementation of the compre-
hensive package of Treatment Care and
Support for PLHIV (HTC, ART, PMTCT, OI and
STI Management, etc.). Trained as a Public
Health Physician, he has been involved in
HIV/AIDS research and projects for several
years in various capacities.
He has also been involved in clinical

work including HIV/AIDS management,
curricula development and capacity
building, health education and HIV/
AIDS Advocacy, research and proposal
DR. STEPHEN AYISI ADDO development, guidelines and protocol
Programme Manager, development, HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy
National AIDS/STI Control Programme and programme development project
Ghana Health Service planning, M&E among others.
As the Programme Manager, he presides

over very important technical working groups responsible for the decentralized
response to HIV in Ghana. Notably the Antiretroviral Therapy, HIV Drug resistance
and the Research Monitoring and Evaluation Oversight committee, Programmes
committee and Key Populations Committee of the Ghana AIDS Committee. HIV
Drug resistance monitoring is critical to the effective implementation of the ART
programmes globally.

D
r. (Mrs.) Mary Eyram Ashinyo is a
Public Health Physician Specialist,
Deputy Director-Institutional Care
Division and Head of Quality
Assurance for the Ghana Health Service.
Previously Dr. Ashinyo served as a Medical
Superintendent (2012-2018) in the Volta
Region where she also served as Regional
Focal Person for Accidents and Emergencies
for over five years and a member of the
Regional Quality Assurance Team.
Dr. Mrs. Ashinyo received several awards

in recognition of her grassroots work and
transformational leadership including the
DR. MRS. MARY ASHINYO Mandela Washington Fellowship Award by
Deputy Director Quality Assurance, President Barack Obama and the United
Institutional Care Division States of America Department of State in
Ghana Health Service 2015, the Young Physician Leaders’ Award
from the Inter-Academy Partnership and
the World Academy of Sciences in 2016 and
the Women Leaders in Global Health award from the Stanford University Centre for
Global Health Innovations in 2017 in recognition of her contribution to promoting
gender in healthcare.
She is a Member of the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, holds a master’s
degree in public health from the School of Public Health- University of Ghana,
Diploma and Certificates in Healthcare Management from the Swiss Tropical Institute
of Public Health -Switzerland, Howard University-Washington D.C., European School
of Management and Technology – Berlin/Germany and GIMPA Ghana (HAM, 2012).
Dr. Ashinyo has special interest in volunteering in Ghana’s prisons and empowering
young girls and women. She has research interest in patient safety and quality of care
research and is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina,
U.S.A. since January 2022.

D
r. Kofi Issah has worked in Public
Health for the past 26 years mostly
in the rural areas of Northern and
the Middle belts. As a lead facilitator
of safe motherhood clinical skills teams
from 1996-2008 in the Northern Region, he
developed and delivered capacity building for
doctors and midwives and the implementation
of programmes to reduce maternal and child
mortality. The recommendations of maternal
and neonatal death audit teams he led have
been institutionalized with the adoption
of tools and strategies developed to help
DR. KOFI ISSAH monitor and evaluate maternal and neonatal
Director Family Health Division mortality trends in Northern Ghana.
The leadership and management building
competencies of Kofi Issah has resulted in his leading a team to collaborate with the
Pentecost University of Ghana to train district and sub-district level health managers in
Leadership and Governance in Health Systems with a focus on maternal and newborn
care.
Dr. Issah has experience in the implementation of UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA, JICA, USAID,
KOICA and DFID sponsored public health and health system strengthening programmes
in 4 regions of Ghana. His evaluation and reports have helped to attract funding of US$ 1.5
million and partnerships for three adolescent and maternal health projects in the Northern
and Upper East Regions of Ghana.
He has worked as Deputy Director of Public Health (2008-2015) and Regional Director of
Health Services (2015-2020) in the Upper west, Brong Ahafo, and Upper East Regions of
Ghana. He is currently the Director of the Family Health Division of the Ghana Health Service
Dr. Issah has been a reviewer for International Journal for Gynaecology and Obstetrics
reviewing 60 clinical articles, review articles, and brief communications since 2011.

M
arion is a professional medical
doctor, a Public Health Physician
Specialist, and presently, the
Regional Director of Health Ser-
vices for the Western North Region. She was
a district director of Health Services for the
Mpohor and Ellembelle districts from 2013
to 2020. She has a keen interest in research
and established functional research units to
promote evidence-informed decision-mak-
ing wherever she works.
Her research interest includes quantitative

and mixed methods in health policy
Dr. Marion Okoh-Owusu innovations, maternal and child health, and
Western North Regional Director of quality in health systems.
Health Service
Ghana Health Service Marion is an early career researcher who
has completed doctoral studies (Ph.D.)
at the University of Warwick, United Kingdom. In addition, she holds a Postgraduate
Certificate in Paediatric Nutrition, Boston University; Certificate in Disease Control,
Beijing; Certificate in Health Administration and Management, GIMPA; a Member, Ghana
College of Physicians; Master of Public Health, the University of Warwick; Bachelor of
Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, KNUST, and an alumnus of Wesley Girls High School Cape
Coast.
Marion’s research grants and awards of distinction include Funding from the World
Health Organisation (2022) and Adamus Resources grant (2019) for the Accelerated
Action to Improve Maternal and New-born Survival project; World Health Organization
award for the implementation of the Protection at Birth from Tetanus (2015); British
Council Alumni Award for Enterprise and Innovation at Mpohor district (2014) as well as
the Warwick Skills Portfolio Award (2011) in leadership and management.
Marion is a coach for health professionals who aspire to attain greater heights in
leadership and management and advance their careers in public health and research
practice.
6 ORAL PRESENTATIONS
6.1 Health Service Capacity Assessment in the Context of the COVID-19

Pandemic: Results of Round 2
Background and Objective: In June 2021 Ghana implemented Round 1 of the WHO
health service capacity assessment survey to assess Ghana’s health facilities capacity
to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as maintain essential health services.
Method: The survey adapted and fielded three of the WHO modules to examine
COVID-19 case management capacities, continuity of essential health services, and
community needs, perceptions, and demand for health services. Round 2 of the
assessment was conducted in November 2021. The nationwide survey covered all
levels of health facilities under the Ghana Health Service. In Round 2, a total of 146
health facilities (3, teaching hospitals, 7 regional hospitals, 28 district hospitals, 54
health centers/clinics, and 54 CHPS zones) in nine regions participated in the survey.
All participating health facilities were administered the continuity of essential
health services module. Additionally, hospitals were administered the COVID-19
case management module. Community key informants were administered the
community assessment module. All interviews were conducted via telephone.
Results: The presentation will highlight key findings from Round 2.
Presenter: Cornelius
CorneliusDebpuur,
Debpuur,PhD
PhD

6.2 RTS,S Malaria Vaccine: From Research to Policy
Introduction: RTS,S/AS01E (RTS,S) is the world’s first malaria vaccine to reach Phase
3 and 4 studies. Following a positive scientific opinion by the European Medicines
Agency, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended large-scale pilot
implementation of the 4-dose regimen of RTS,S in children aged 5-17 months in 3
countries with moderate to high malaria transmission. Beginning in May 2019 EPI
in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi introduced RTS,S with 3 doses administered between
the ages of 5 and 9 months and a 4th dose at 2 years, in pilot schemes in which
158 clusters, each with a population of about 100,000 (66 districts in Ghana; 46 sub-
counties in western Kenya; and 46 groups of immunization clinics in Malawi) were
randomized to introduce the vaccine in 2019, or to delay introduction.
Objective: We examined the feasibility and impact of RTSS introduction and

evaluated safety signals identified from the Phase III trials.
Results: It was feasible to introduce the RTS,S in real life setting with no impact on
the uptake of other health interventions. The vaccine continues to maintain a good
safety profile and reduces hospital admissions.
Presenter: Kwaku Poku Asante

6.3 COVID-19 Vaccination Trails in Ghana
The research centres of the Research and Development Division of the Ghana Health
Service have conducted two COVID-19 vaccine trials, the Sputnik vaccine trial and
the VAT 00008 trial (Sanofi-GSK) as part of the global effort to fight the COVID-19
pandemic and are still preparing to conduct more trials both vaccine and drug. This
presentation is to provide an update on the trials, lessons learnt, challenges and the
way forward for future vaccine trials in Ghana.
Presenter: Nana Akosua Ansah

6.4 Improving Maternal and New-born Care with IUD Service Provision Using
Task-Sharing Framework in the Central Region, Ghana
Introduction: Task-sharing has been introduced by the Ghana Health Service, as one of
the strategies to meet the dire need for midwifery services in the country. It is recognized
that the approach is a short-term measure to address a critical challenge of shortage of
midwives to provide the much-needed maternal (which includes family planning) and
child health care needs in Ghana. The Ghana Health Service (GHS) task-sharing program
is an important opportunity to further develop the capacity of midwifery assistants to
provide IUD services.
Objective: This project is aimed at complementing the self-passed learning (SPL)

content of the midwifery assistantship programme with an IUD insertion and removal
module tailored for auxiliary nurses
Methods: A pre-and post-intervention design using both quantitative and qualitative

data collection and analysis was adopted in this study. The intervention for this study is
the midwifery assistantship and IUD practical training. A total of twenty-four midwifery
assistants and 5 midwives were trained in IUD insertion in November 2019.
There was the extraction of service data on Antenatal care, delivery, child welfare, family
planning including IUD insertion, and health education. Twenty-one in-depth interviews
were conducted made up of 19 midwifery assistants, 7 preceptors and 2 IUD master
trainers.
Results: The number of IUD insertions done by midwifery assistants increased steadily
from the pre-training to the post-training period. In December 2019, the average
percentage contribution to the delivery of IUD services by midwifery assistants in the
facility was 7%. Their monthly contribution increased during the post-training period; in
January 2020, they attended to 69% of IUD new acceptors who visited the facility.
Conclusion/policy implication: To sustain gains in the increasing number of IUD new

acceptors, there is the need to increase awareness creation and demand for IUD.
Recommendation: Use of long-term family planning methods should be encouraged

through health education, in addition, task shifting particularly in the area of maternal
health has the propensity to save lives.
Keywords: Task shifting, Intra-uterine devices, community health nurses
Presenter: Sybil Sory

6.5 Lessons from the Integrated MOPV2 and Vitamin A Supplementation

Campaign in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic in Ghana
Introduction: Collaborative planning is known to improve integrated health

campaign through the establishment of a common purpose among stakeholders.
Also, it enhances the mobilization of resources which is attained through the

consolidated efforts of partners, donors, and promotes vaccine management and
accountability. Ghana embarked on an integrated MOPV2 and Vitamin A health
campaign during the round 2 of the mass polio vaccination campaign in October
2020. This integrated campaign became urgent to address the outbreak of cVDPV2
but also to increase the uptake of life-saving health and nutrition services.
Objective: The main objective of this Case Study project was to document lessons
learnt from the integrated mOPV2 and Vitamin A supplementation campaign in the
context of COVID-19 in Ghana.
Method: In-depth interviews and consultations were conducted with health

managers and providers directly involved in the planning and implementation of the
integrated campaign. Documents reviewed included campaign reports and tools
on the planning/preparations and implementation of the integrated campaign for
Vitamin A supplementation and mOPV2 in 2020.
Findings: Integrated campaign can be successful during the height of a pandemic. In

addition, the success of an integrated campaign can be driven by ownership and unity
of purpose among all the partners and stakeholders. There was strong partnership
and collaboration among partners as well as dedicated health and support staff.
There was a slight improvement in awareness at the national level 88.6% compared
87.4% in round 2 and 1, respectively.
However, districts with more than 90% awareness level decreased slightly from
59.8% in round 1 to 58.1% in round 2. There was limited funding to execute the
integrated campaign. The awareness level among community members was low due
to the delayed start of the social mobilization and communication activities as well as

mixed messages on the health interventions. This was as a result of the ‘late’ decision
to include Vitamin A; therefore mOPV messages overshadowed Vitamin A.
Conclusion: The study explains that a successful integrated campaign depends on

ensuring that the original messages disseminated are integrated. Although there
was a strong political will and commitment among stakeholders, there is a need
to involve technical, health, and non-health organizations at all the stages of the
integrated campaign and collaborative planning processes.
Keywords: Integrated Campaign, Collaborative Planning, mOPV2, Vitamin A

Supplementation, Ghana
Presenter: Hubeidatu Nuhu

6.6 Improving Pre-Discharge Postnatal Counselling Using a Context Specific

Structured Strategy in the Ga West Municipality, Greater Accra of Ghana
Introduction: To improve postnatal predischarge counselling, an implementation

study was conducted in three subdistricts in Ga West District in the Greater Accra
region. The project introduced a context specific structured postnatal counselling
strategy.
Objectives: The study assessed the feasibility and acceptability of developing and
implementing the context specific structured postnatal counselling strategy as well
as the extent to which an enhanced strategy of providing PNC counselling affected
the knowledge of postpartum mothers on selected indicators.
Methods: Exit interviews with discharged mothers were conducted as part of

QoC Network activities before, during and after intervention. We also observed
the counselling sessions to assess the quality of the counselling sessions and
implementation fidelity. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with health
providers who provide counselling to mothers to document their experience and
views with the new strategy.
Results: Generally, the counselling guide and approach were acceptable to health
workers. Duration of counselling depended on the workload on the ward as well
as the condition of the mother. Group counselling was common compared to the
recommended individual counselling. During the counselling process, almost all the
major counselling topics were discussed except situation assessment and setting of
goals for the session areas.
Conclusion: Lack of privacy because of limited space and workload impeded the
counselling process. In addition, non-availability of audio-visual equipment and
material also limited the implementation of the full scope of the context specific
structured PNC pre-discharge counselling.
Presenter: Ivy Osei

6.7 Challenges and Facilitators to the Provision of Sexual, Reproductive

Health and Rights Services in Ghana
Introduction: Expanding access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services is

one of the key targets of the Sustainable Development Goals. The extent to which
sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) targets will be achieved largely
depends on how well they are integrated within Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
initiatives.
Objectives: This paper examines challenges and facilitators to the effective provision
of three SRHR services (maternal health, gender-based violence (GBV), and safe
abortion/post-abortion care) in Ghana.
Methods: The analysis triangulates evidence from document review with in-depth
qualitative stakeholder interviews and adopts the Donabedian framework in
evaluating the provision of these services. Critical among the challenges identified are
inadequate funding, non-inclusion of some SRHR services including family planning
and abortion/post-abortion services within the health benefits package, and hidden
charges for maternal services. Other issues are poor supervision, maldistribution of
logistics and health personnel, fragmentation of support services for GBV victims
across agencies, and socio-cultural and religious beliefs and practices affecting
service delivery and utilization.
Results: Facilitators that hold promise for effective SRH service delivery include
stakeholder collaboration and support, a health system structure that supports the
continuum of care, availability of data for monitoring progress and setting priorities,
and an effective process for sharing lessons and accountability through frequent
review meetings.
Conclusion and policy implication: We propose the development of a national

master plan for SRHR integration within UHC initiatives in the country. Addressing
the financial, logistical, and health worker shortages and maldistribution will go a
long way to propel Ghana’s efforts to expand population coverage, service coverage,
and financial risk protection in accessing essential SRH services.
Presenter: James Akazili

6.8 Electronic Health Records (EHR) System and Health Service Delivery in the
Central Region, Ghana
Introduction: To help Ghana achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly

Goals 3 (Good health and wellbeing) and 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure), the
Ministry of Health began a nationwide deployment of the Lightwave Health Information
Management System in the Central Region in 2017 to harmonise health data in Ghana.
Objectives: This study assessed the use of the Lightwave Health Information
Management System (LHIMS) for health service delivery in the Central Region. The study
adopted a mixed-method approach where 1,126 health professionals were randomly
sampled from 10 health facilities for the quantitative part whereas 30 Unit heads shared
their lived experiences of interacting with the LHIMS in an interview. Quantitative data
were processed using SPSS v26 and MS Excel 2021.
Results: The majority of health professionals agreed that LHIMS was efficient, effective,
and satisfactory for service delivery. The qualitative interviews revealed report generation
deficits in the LHIMS in some facilities. Also, there was a lack of standardisation in data
capturing across some facilities. Other challenges included; slow connectivity and
inadequate training on the use of the LHIMS. The study concluded that LHIMS is a
comprehensive system. It captures detailed information on patients, and it is a major
step taken by the government to improve quality health care in the country. However,
the challenges associated with its use should be resolved.
Conclusion and policy implication: It is recommended that the managers of the

LHIMS should sustain the implementation. System developers should ensure that there
is standardisation in system features and functions across facilities to avoid data merging
challenges in the near future. IT persons at the facilities should organise refresher training
and develop a training manual for system users. Technological devices such as tablets
and laptop computers should be procured by the health facilities. The MoH should sign
up for the ICD 11 coding for an updated list of diagnoses and train professionals to code
diseases into the LHIMS.
Keywords: Lightwave Health Information Management System (LHIMS);
Efficiency; Satisfaction
Presenter: Edward Agyeman

6.9 Feasibility and Acceptability of Open Source for Local Manufacture of

Digital Diagnosis and Routine Use in the Health System: Exploring the Views of
Ghanaians Stakeholders
Introduction: Digital Medical devices are used for diagnosing, monitoring or

improving patients’ health. In Ghana, microscopes are not locally manufactured but
are mostly imported. Challenges encountered with use include frequent breakdown,
unavailability of spare parts and skilled professionals to repair/maintain them. This
situation negatively affects the delivery of health services and quality of health care
rendered to patients.
Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability
of the local manufacture of microscopes using open-source hardware for use within
Ghana’s health system.
Methods: This study was exploratory in nature, using mixed methods approach
involving quantitative and qualitative data collection methods.
Results: The study involved 322 health providers of all categories including clinicians
and laboratory technicians. The majority (66.8%; 215/322) were aged 26-35 years.
There were key informant interviews with stakeholders of diverse backgrounds.
Health providers found the local manufacture of microscopes acceptable with
77.9% (251/322) indicating that they were prepared to use locally manufactured
microscopes. Overall, 56.8% (183/322) thought they would be more durable, with
spare parts easier to obtain (78%; 251/322). Respondents were of the view that local
production of microscopes would be feasible in Ghana. Stakeholders provided views
on factors that would promote and hinder the uptake and use.
Policy implication: The MOH should consider exploring the local manufacture of
microscopes to ensure access to diagnosis and improved quality of care.
Recommendation: The study recommends continuous stakeholder engagement to

sustain the production, maintenance and repair of locally manufactured microscopes
for use in Ghana.
Presenter: Evelyn Ansah

6.10 Reporting Adverse Events Following Immunization in Ghana: Health

Care Workers Experiences in the Northern Regions
Background: With over 80% of children worldwide vaccinated, concerns about

vaccine safety continue to be a public health issue. Only few African countries
currently meet the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) for vaccine safety monitoring
which has fixed a minimal reporting ratio of 10 AEFI per 100,000 surviving infants as
a proxy measure for a functional AEFI reporting system.
Objective: This study was conducted with the aim of documenting the gaps,
potentials and opportunities in the health systems for further development of
vaccine pharmacovigilance in Ghana.
Methods: A cross sectional quantitative study was conducted among 851 healthcare
workers (Oct 2020-Mar 2021) in the five northern regions of Ghana using a detailed
structured questionnaire. We documented their experiences with regards to
knowledge, perceptions and practice of reporting AEFIs to the Ghana FDA or EPI.
Results: 49.2% of health care workers said there were written guidelines and
procedures for reporting AEFIs in their facility, 25% had encountered an AEFI within
the previous year. 61.1% of those who reported AEFIs did not receive feedback from
the pharmacovigilance centre. Less than 50% of health workers had been trained on
AEFIs since they started working. Gaps in reporting of AEFIs include unavailability of
reporting forms at facilities and lack of feedback from FDA and EPI.
Conclusion: AEFI reporting can be improved if gaps that have been identified are
addressed.
Recommendation: There should be continuous professional education and

feedback from the FDA and EPI when AEFIs are reported.
Keywords: Health workers, AEFI, Reporting
Presenter: Nana Akosua Ansah

6.11 Assessment of Compliance to Policy Guidelines on Hazardous Healthcare

Waste Management in Hospitals in the Greater Accra Region.
Introduction: Waste management has become very crucial in protecting the health
of people worldwide (Hossain, Santhanam, Nik Norulaini & Omar, 2011). It has also
been reported that many African countries do not have the needed framework and
policies on healthcare waste management and even where they exist, there is little
or no compliance to implementation (Manga et al., 2011).
Objective: The objective of this study is to assess compliance with healthcare waste
management policy guidelines on hazardous wastes management in hospitals in
the Greater Accra Region.
Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was employed using quantitative

methods. Data collected were analyzed using STATA version 16.0. A Chi-square test
was used to establish the association between dependent and independent variables.
Binary logistic regression was used to determine the strength of association at 95%
confidence level.
Results: The results showed that only 33.3% (135) of the health workers adhered
to proper healthcare waste management policy guidelines. The various categories
of waste; general, infectious, pharmaceutical and radioactive were found in all the
hospital units. Age (p=0.001), level of education (p<0.0001), level of qualification
(p<0.004), profession (p<0.0001), funds allocated for waste management (p=0.017),
trained on waste management (p=0.001) and colour coded bins (p=0.034) were the
key factors influencing low compliance of health care waste management policy in
hospitals.
Conclusion: Providing suitable training and resources for HCW management, the
hospital administration should ensure that all members of staff comply with national
legislation (appropriately coloured bags, sharps bins etc.).
Keywords: Health Care Waste Management, Health Care Workers
Presenter: Daniel S. Agoha

6.12 Evaluating the Implementation of Ghana’s Infection Prevention and

Control Policy Guideline in Regional and District Hospitals
Background: Evidence of existing national Infection Prevention and Control Policy

Guidelines translating into effective programmatic performance and achievement
of desired impacts on public health is highly under-researched in sub-Saharan
Africa. Compliance with infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols is critical in
minimizing the risk of infection among patients and healthcare workers.
In the case of Ghana, there is a lack of multi-centre studies which thoroughly

evaluate how the implementation of its national policy and guidelines on infection
prevention and control impacts healthcare-associated infections and practice. Also,
data on IPC compliance among healthcare workers in many health facilities are not
well-documented and reported to access the true state of the program in facilities.
Objectives: This study seeks to assess the implementation of Republic of Ghana’s

2015 “National Policy Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare
Settings” and to determine the major enablers and barriers to the practice of IPC in
hospitals across the country.
Materials and methods: This evaluation study was conducted in the Republic
of Ghana between July 2020 and October 2021, and involved the use of mixed
methods, including quantitative and qualitative components and triangulation of
findings from research questions related to the objectives above. Quantitative data
underwent descriptive analysis while Qualitative data was coded and thematically
analyzed. Through a multi-stage sampling technique, 18 hospitals across the country
were chosen to serve as data collection sites. Moreover, key stakeholders at national,
regional, and district levels were engaged to know about the contexts within which
the implementation of the 2015 National Policy and Guidelines on IPC had occurred,
as well as their opinions about the effects of the policy implementation on public
health and IPC practice in Ghana.
Results: The results of this study provided important evidence towards the review
of Ghana’s IPC policy and guidelines, while making available crucial information for
IPC practice improvement. The results indicates that knowledge in IPC among health
workers (clinical and non-clinical) in most hospitals in Ghana was high, as 97% of
participants had adequate knowledge with 64% of this proportion having excellent
knowledge. Public/GHS/MOH facilities accounted for 77.8% and Christian based
facilities (CHAG) accounted for 22.2%. A proportion of 22.2% of these facilities had
not received copies of the 2015 National Policy and Guidelines on IPC from their local
level. Health workers in charge of IPC policy implementation in these facilities were
Clinicians (doctors) 5.6%, DDNS (5.6%), District IPC focal persons (5.6%), Midwife
(11.1%) and General Nurse (72.2%). 38.9% of the facilities had made adaptations to
the IPC policy document and documentation of reasons for adaptation were lacking
and poorly handled.
Availability of Infection Prevention and Control resources to health workers always

was 31.4%. It was observed that IPC compliance during healthcare interactions was
77.7% for hand hygiene and 77.8% for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) usage;
IPC compliance during other procedures, was 55.6 for pre-employment and intra-
employment screening and vaccination; 61.1% for safe burial practices; 66.7%
injection practices; 66.7% for disinfection and sterilization of equipment.
Conclusion: Generally, compliance by healthcare workers’ to infection prevention

and control at the health facilities were high (>60.0%), but this compliance may vary
across the different professionals groups in the health facility. Noncompliance due
to time constraint at work was 66.4%. Ensuring an adequate supply of IPC logistics
coupled with behavior change interventions and paying particular attention to
regular monitoring and data documentation is critical in achieving a higher IPC
compliance in Ghana.
Presenter: Serwah Amoah

6.13 Improved Access, Delayed Accreditation, Low Recognition: Perspectives

of Mental Health Educators, Preceptors and Students on the Kintampo Project
in Ghana
Introduction: Before 2010, the mental health workforce in Ghana was unevenly
distributed between urban and rural areas. The Kintampo Project which sought to
train the two new cadres of mental health professionals has played a critical role
through increasing access to mental health care at the community level.
Method: This study is a phenomenological one which explores participants’

perspectives on the Kintampo Project in three broad areas: effectiveness, gains and
challenges.
Nineteen (19) key informant interviews were conducted with preceptors, educators
and students on the project. The interviews were digitally audio-recorded, transcribed,
coded and analysed using the framework approach.
Results: The participants stated that the Kintampo Project has increased the number
of mental health workers in Ghana and improve access to mental health within
communities in Ghana. The project also provided a route for career progression
for those involved. However, the Kintampo Project faced accreditation issues, low
recognition, improper integration and remuneration of trained staff in the Ghana
Health Service.
Conclusion/Policy Implications: These challenges identified through our interviews

may have consequences on the Mental Health Act, i.e. to strengthen community
mental health services.
Recommendation: Future studies can build on effective ways to strengthen

stakeholder engagement and ownership of similar innovative projects, especially for
mental health.
Keywords: Kintampo Project, Mental Health Education, Ghana
Presenter: Mary Pomaa Agyekum

6.14 Preceptorship Practice in Health Care Institutions in Ghana: Situational

Analysis
Introduction: Preceptors play a vital role in supporting nursing/midwifery students

and new employees’ transition and assimilation into their new role. Further, with the
increasing focus on educating more qualified nurses and midwives to meet health-
related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, there is a need for a more
standardized and coordinated approach to preceptorship training.
Objective: As a former Head of the Nursing/Midwifery Training Institution in Ghana,

I observed that the system of preceptorship needed improvements. Published
literature on preceptorship has shown that the practice plays a vital role in healthcare
delivery. However, most of the existing literature on preceptorship is from developed
countries, with little research from developing countries like Ghana.
Methods: This study explored the practice of preceptorship in selected nursing/

midwifery and healthcare institutions in Ghana. Situational analysis was used to
examine the complex dynamics of the preceptorship program. It consists of three
main procedural tools: situational maps, social worlds/arenas maps, and positional
maps.
Results: Several important factors were found to impact preceptorship in Ghana. Key
ones were motivational (monetary) challenges, inadequate training of preceptors,
politicking related to the development of preceptorship manuals, supervision, and
outdated procedure guidelines for on-the-job teaching of students. The study offers
a series of recommendations to improve preceptorship practice at micro, meso, and
macro levels.
Conclusion: Additionally, they may enable regulators and policy makers in Ghana to
formulate policies leading to a more robust preceptorship programs to strengthen
the skills of nursing/midwifery profession.
Presenter: Ivy Sackey

6.15 Mentoring in Primary Healthcare Facilities: An Evaluation Case Study of a

Cohort of Nurses in Talensi District
Introduction: In PHC, one of the topmost priorities in the services carried out are MCH
related. Midwives carry out ANC, delivery services and PNC at the PHC facilities. These
services are done in collaboration with CHNs who carry out CWC services and home visits.
There has been a drastic change in the age structure of nurses and midwives where the most
experienced have retired hence majority of the Nursing and Midwifery workforce are young
and inexperienced. Mostly, PHC facilities in Ghana are managed by relatively inexperienced
hands and this has adversely affected the quality of patient care in Ghana. Most women in
rural communities in the Region lacked confidence in the abilities of midwives attending to
them.
Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the contribution of a NMP on quality
of MCH services in the Talensi District. A cross-sectional method was used comprising health
staff mainly nurses and midwives from 11 PHC facilities.
Methods: A semi-structured interview guide and focus group discussion was used to collect
data. Data collected was analyzed using Thematic Content analysis and results presented
according identified thematic themes.
Results: The study found Mentors and Mentees perspectives on the quality of the NMP
to be based on capacity building, sharing of experience, role modelling and on-the job
training. Mentees gained adequate knowledge in neonatal resuscitation, use of partograph,
emergency delivery by non-midwives. Inadequate logistics, inadequate time, frequency of
mentoring visits and lack of support from facility in-charges were challenges that affected the
NMP. The study also found early ANC initiation, improved documentations and pre referral
assessment and treatment as the major contribution of the NMP to the quality of MCH care.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the NMP had a positive effect on the knowledge and skills of the
Nurses and Midwives that were mentored despite the challenges that were faced. Therefore,
more efforts should be made to address these challenges in subsequent Mentorship
programs to make it more effective.
Keywords: Nurses mentoring program, Primary Healthcare, Maternal and child Health
Presenter: Harriet Mijimah Nyewan

6.16 A Study of The Knowledge and Perception of Pharmacists in Ghana Towards

the Medicine Reimbursement Policies of The National Health Insurance Scheme
(NHIS).
Introduction: Medicine reimbursement policies (MRP) are instituted to ensure stan-

dardized access to affordable medicines. Understanding these policies is relevant for
correct application by healthcare professionals. There is evidence of limited knowledge
of the underlying principles behind these policies especially among pharmacists.
Objective: To ascertain the knowledge and perception of pharmacists towards the

NHIS’s medicine reimbursement policies.
Method: An assessment of knowledge and perception using a likert scale was conduct-
ed by administering an online questionnaire to 123 pharmacists in Ghana from October
to November 2021. The questionnaire assessed knowledge of the: (1) National Essential
Medicines List; (2) Generic policy; (3) pricing based on prevalent generic prices; (4) reim-
bursement based on levels of prescribing; as utilised by the National Health Insurance
Authority (NHIA) for its Medicines List (ML):
Results: About 61% of respondents had knowledge of the existence of the ML but only
37.4% knew how it was developed; 57.7% were aware of the use of the generic policy
with 64.2% of them perceiving it to be favourable; 26.9% had knowledge of the ML
review and pricing processes but 83.7% were not in favour of the reimbursable prices.
The level of prescribing policy was well known to 52%, with 51.2% of them having a
favourable perception of it. A regression analysis showed a positive relationship
between knowledge of the development of the ML and a good perception of it.
Conclusion: There is a low level of knowledge among pharmacists on the MRP of the
NHIS. It is therefore important to create awareness and improve their knowledge and
perception.
Recommendation: Publicize and engage pharmacists in the ML processes.
Keywords: Reimbursement, Generic Policy, Medicine Price
Presenter: Ruby A. Mensah Annan

6.17 Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Hospital

Pharmacy Staff on Antimicrobial Stewardship in Ho Municipality
Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health problem with

implications of increased mortality and healthcare cost especially in Sub-Saharan
African countries like Ghana. Pharmacists and their support staff play critical role as
members of the healthcare team in optimizing the use of antimicrobials to combat
AMR development.
Method: A cross-sectional survey using self-administered online structured

questionnaire was developed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of
pharmacy staff working in the three public hospitals in the Ho Municipality of Ghana.
The staff comprised of Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians and Dispensing assistants
making a total of sixty-four personnel. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate
analysis were conducted after data collection.
Results: All sixty sampled pharmacy staff responded to the questionnaire. Overall,
the mean age was 35 years (SD±8), with 58.3% (n=35) of them being female, 36.7%
(n=22) and 53.3% (n=32) were pharmacists and dispensing assistants respectively.
Majority (38.3%, n=23) of them had high school as their highest educational
qualification while 23.3% (n=14) had bachelor of pharmacy education. Again, 76.7%
(n=46) of the respondents had good knowledge of AMS, while 96.7% (n=58) and
81.7% (n=49) had good attitude and practice toward AMS. AMS knowledge was
associated with gender (OR=0.17 CI=0.03-0.83) while AMS practice was associated
with the gender (OR=0.10 CI=0.01-0.88) and professional category (OR=3.68 CI=1.13-
11.95) of the respondents.
Conclusion: Hospital pharmacy staff have good attitude and practice towards AMS
with some knowledge gaps on the concept. Continuous professional education
on AMS is critical to ensure safeguarding appropriate use of antimicrobials in the
hospital.
Keywords: Antimicrobial stewardship, hospital pharmacy staff, antimicrobial

resistance
Presenter: Araba Hutton-Nyameaye

6.18 Carotid Atherosclerosis, Microalbuminuria and Estimated 10-year

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Sub-Saharan Africa
Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are on the increase in Sub-Saharan

including Ghana partly due to increase behavioural and metabolic risk factors.
Carotid atherosclerosis and microalbuminuria are identified as noel risk factors of
CVD but are less studied in African populations.
Objective: To evaluate the association of carotid atherosclerosis and microalbuminuria

with 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases in sub-Saharan Africa
Methods: A cross sectional analyses of baseline data from the African-Wits-INDEPTH

[International Network for the Demographic Evaluation of Populations and Their
Health in low- and middle-income countries] genomic (AWI-Gen) study involving
women and men aged 40-60 years from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.
Associations of carotid atherosclerosis (B-mode ultrasound measured carotid intima-

media thickness, cIMT) and microalbuminuria (spot urine albumin, SUA and urine
albumin-creatinine-ratio, uACR) with high ASCVD risk (defined as 2018 Pooled
Cohort Equations score ≥7.5) were determined using adjusted multivariable logistic
regression analyses.
Results: We studied 9011 participants with an average age of 50 ± 6 years and 50.3%
women. High carotid atherosclerosis and microalbuminuria were each associated
with older age, and high prevalence of diabetes and hypertension. Smokers had
higher microalbuminuria.
Carotid atherosclerosis was common in Burkina Faso and Ghana while

microalbuminuria was common in Kenya and South Africa. SUA had a stronger
association with carotid atherosclerosis and 10-year ASCVD risk compared to uACR.

Conclusion/policy implication: Spot urine albuminuria may indicate risk of

subclinical carotid atherosclerosis and high 10-year CVD risk in middle-aged sub-
Saharan Africans highlighting its value as a simple screening for CVD risk assessment.
Recommendation
• Longitudinal studies or clinical events data may be needed to validate the

findings
• Spot urine albuminuria may be used in rural and urban African settings for
CVD risk assessment.
Keywords: Carotid atherosclerosis; microalbuminuria and atherosclerotic

cardiovascular disease risk
Presenter: Engelbert A. Nonterah

6.19 Determinants of Health Seeking Behavior in Jasikan District, Ghana
Introduction: Understanding the factors that influence the health-seeking behavior

of people will help the Ghana Health Service in evaluating and enacting policies that
will enable it achieve set targets.
Objective: The purpose of this project was to identify the determinants of the health-
seeking behavior of the people of Jasikan District.
Methods: The study design was a cross-sectional survey. All persons below the age
of 18 were excluded. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize the results
using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22.0. A stratified working sample
of 295 was used.
Results: 61% of respondents chose formal public health institutions as the first
port of call. A greater proportion of respondents (245; 83%) preferred appropriate
health-seeking behavior with the women recording a higher tendency of seeking
health care appropriately (p=0.042). Individuals with active insurance were more
likely to seek appropriate health care [OR: 4.6 (2.44, 8.74)]. The severity of illness (9;
28%), perceived quality of service (7; 21.9%), affordability and readily available drugs
influenced respondent’s choice of health care. The majority (228, 77.3%) agreed to
the need for a wellness clinic in health facilities for regular check-ups (30.5%).
Conclusion: Health-seeking behavior of the people of Jasikan is good (83%). The

public facility was the first port of call followed by Pharmacy/Over-The-Counter-
Medicine-Sellers and Self-medication.
Recommendation: Interventions to improve health seeking behaviour should

target males and the uneducated in addition to equitable distribution of public/
private health facilities and community pharmacies. Wellness clinics should be
established in health facilities.
Keywords: Health-Seeking, Behaviour, Determinants
Presenter: Courage Edem Ketor

6.20 Barriers to Accessing Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Services among

Deaf Women in Krachi West District: A Quantitative Study
Background: Despite the fact that Ghana is among the countries who have rectified
the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and went ahead
to enact the Persons with disability Act 715 (ACT, 2006), barriers to accessing sexual and
reproductive health care services have been reported continuously by women with
disability across the country, hence the need to identify and address such barriers.
Objective: The general objective of the study was to explore the barriers to accessing
Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (SRH) services among Deaf women in the Krachi
West District.
Methods: A cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted to explore the barriers to

accessing SRH services among women with disability. The study was carried out in the
Krachi West District in the Oti Region. A total of 13 in-depth interview was conducted
with Deaf women aged 18-45 years old. In this study the Sexual and Reproductive Health
(SRH) services of interest were family planning, antenatal care services, postnatal services
and access to abortion care. Thematic analysis was employed in the analysis of the data
using NVIVO for coding and developing themes.
Results and conclusion: Access to SRH information and services are constrained by a
number of factors, the most stands out is communication.
Results: Most of the study participants have experienced sexual violence through either
their relatives or close allies. This study also identifies the importance of understanding
the peculiar needs of different groups when carving out policies and programs. This
emphasizes the need of avoiding a ‘one size fits all’ policy, as a solution to the solution to
the problem of one subgroup in a community may or may not apply to other subgroups.
Conclusion: The deaf population in Ghana has information demands that go beyond
enhancing accessibility; without increased comprehension, this measure may not be
enough.
Key words: Sexual Reproductive health, women with hearing impairment,

communication.
Presenter: John K. Agbenyavu

6.21 Patient Safety in Ghanaian Hospitals: A Situational Analysis
Background: As Ghana plans to accelerate the implementation of the ‘decade of

patient safety’ initiative towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage by
2030 and beyond, performance measurements and progress in patient safety are
critical particularly to inform patient safety policy in Ghana. However, there is limited
information regarding the status of Patient Safety in healthcare facilities in Ghana.
The study assessed the patient safety situation in selected healthcare facilities in
Ghana.
Methods: A mixed methodology was used to assess the patient safety situation in
27 primary and secondary hospitals in nine regions of Ghana using the World Health
Organization’s Patient Safety Long Form. Data were analyzed using STATA 16.0 for
descriptive statistics, and axial codes for thematic analysis.
Results: The national patient safety situation was rated 81%, but with gaps in the
patient safety performance across the 12 patient safety action areas in all hospitals.
The highest-rated patient safety action area was the national patient safety policy
(97%). Patient safety surveillance and research, Patient safety funding, Patient safety
partnerships, medication safety, and safe surgical care had mean scores lower than
the national average score (81%).
Conclusion: despite the lack of a patient safety policy in Ghana, there appears to be
adequate conceptual clarity on the strategic objectives of other patient safety related
policies, reflected in the highest score on national patient safety policy. This situation
presents an opportunity for Ghana to finalize and implement its 2015 draft National
Patient Safety Policy to sustain and improve the gains made to ensure a robust
patient safety situation in Ghanaian healthcare facilities. We recommend similar
patient safety assessment within sub-district networks of practice to strengthen
patient safety in Ghana’s Primary Healthcare efforts.
Keywords: Ghana, patient safety, quality of healthcare, adverse events,

healthcare-associated infections, medication safety, safe care.
Presenter: Mary Ashinyo

6.22 Birth Preparedness and Complication Readiness among Women

Attending Group Antenatal Care and those Receiving Focus Antenatal Care in
the Eastern Region
Introduction: Antenatal care has the potential to play a pivotal role in ensuring
positive pregnancy outcomes for both mothers and their new-borns.
Objectives: This study aims to improve health literacy, increase Birth Preparedness
and Complication Readiness, and optimize maternal and newborn outcomes among
women attending ANC at selected rural health facilities serving predominantly low-
and non-literate pregnant women.
Methods: The study is a cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT) involving 14

health facilities in the Eastern region of Ghana. Seven facilities were randomized to
intervention while seven were control. At the initial ANC visit, women enrolled on the
project are placed in small groups with 12-14 women of similar gestational age of
10 to 16 weeks. Data collection occurs at five time points, namely, Enrollment in the
study (T0), 3rd trimester (T1), First 6 weeks postpartum (T2), Six months postpartum
(T3) and one year postpartum (T4).
Women from the control facilities receive the normal individual/focused ANC while
those in the intervention facilities received grouped ANC. Prior to the start of each
group meeting, blood pressure, weight, and a urinalysis are measured for each
woman.
The woman then receives an individual assessment with the provider to measure
fundal height, listen to fetal heart tones, and answer any questions she prefers not to
raise in the group. Clients and providers then sit in circle facing one another for a 60-
90 minute facilitated discussion led by the midwife which is centered on their health
literacy.
Topics discussed in the group meeting include introduction to group ante natal
care, prevent problems before baby is born, danger signs, birth preparedness
and complication readiness, labour and birth, preventing problems after birth for
mothers, family planning and preventing problems after birth for babies.
Results: In all about 1752 women were enrolled into the study, that is intervention
(867) and control (885) with 287 and 290 mothers completing T4 in the control and
intervention facilities respectively. Mothers in the intervention arms had relatively
more positive outcomes than those in the control arm.
For instance, proportion of mothers who are able to recognize a problem during
pregnancy increased from 68.29% at baseline to 98.81% at T1 in the intervention
facilities and while for those in the control facilities, the proportions increased from
62.03%at baseline to 87.55% at T1 and this difference was statistically significant
(p<0.001).
Also, Proportion of mothers who had the intention to use Family Planning following
delivery decrease from 40.45% at baseline to 40.05% at T1 in the control facility and
while for those in the intervention facilities, the proportion increased from 38.51%
at baseline was to 61.28% at T1 and this difference was also statistically significant
(p<0.001).
Conclusion: Mothers and the care givers who took part in the GRAND project said
they prefer the group ANC to the focus ANC and would like it to become maternal
and child health policy direction.
Presenter: Veronica Apetorgbor

6.23 Antenatal, Intrapartum and Postnatal Care: A Prospective, Longitudinal

Study of Maternal and Newborn Health of the Pregnancy Risk Stratification
Innovation and Measurement Alliance (PRiSMA)
Introduction: Quality antenatal and postnatal care services are important and
gaining recognition with increasing antenatal care (ANC) coverages in low- and
middle-income countries. However, the ANC coverage rate is much lower among more
vulnerable populations and the quality of care that women receive is inconsistent,
often poor, and frequently fails to detect risks in a timely fashion.
While most women access skilled antenatal care at least once during pregnancy, there
is poor continuity of care and only about 60% of women receive the recommended
four ANC visits. There is a lack of robust population-level burden data to inform global
and local estimation of key risk factors.
Goal: The goal of this study is to develop a harmonized data set to improve
understanding of pregnancy risk factors, vulnerabilities, and morbidity and mortality
and to estimate the burden of these risk factors and outcomes in Low- and Middle-
Income Countries.
Methods: This is a multi-country population based study involving five countries in

Africa and Asia (Ghana, Pakistan, Kenya, Zambia, and India)A total of 16,000 pregnant
women will be enrolled across the 5 sites. Ghana, will recruit 3,500 pregnant women
in two years (June 2023) and follow them up monthly until their babies are a year old..
An ultrasound scan is performed to determine the viability of the fetus and gestational
age of participants before recruitment. At delivery pregnancy outcome and delivery
information is collected.
Biological samples (vaginal swabs, maternal blood samples ) are taken from participants
at each trimester and cord blood and placental tissues at delivery. The primary
outcomes include low birth weight, still births, preterm births, neonatal mortality and
maternal morbidity and mortality.

Preliminary results: As at 11th April 2022, 1,966 pregnant women have been
consented and enrolled into the study. Of the numbers enrolled, 1,535(78.07) deliveries
have occurred and 1,502(97.85) resulted in live births. Of the live birth babies, 249
(16%) of the newborns were low birth weight (<2.5kg), 1281 (82.17% ) had normal
birth weight and 27 (1.73%) of the infants were too heavy (macrosomia :>4.0kg and
above) Unfortunately we have lost 8 of the women recruited and 14 of the babies born
into the study.
Conclusion: From the preliminary results low birth weight was higher than the national
(10%) and regional (10.6%) estimates (GDHS 2014). Data generated from the study
will provide current data on study outcomes in the study area. This will help inform
interventions and guide policy recommendation.
Presenter: Charlotte Tawiah Agyemang

6.24 Factors Associated with Provision of Person-Centre Maternity Care: Role

of Provider Burnout and Bias
Introduction: Person-centered maternity care (PCMC), which refers to care that is

respectful and responsive to women’s preferences, needs, and values, is core to high-
quality maternal and child health. Yet, a growing body of evidence shows that globally
women are not receiving PCMC.
Objective: To examine factors contributing to poor PCMC from the perspective of

providers.
Methods: We used data from a cross-sectional study with 150 maternity providers from
the Upper East Region of Ghana. The survey included a 9-item provider reported PCMC
provision scale; validated psychosocial measures of perceived stress and burnout; as
well as several other potential predictors of PCMC.
Results: The average standardized PCMC score among the health workers was 71.3
(SD=12.3) out of a maximum of 100. In multivariate analysis, PCMC decreased with
increasing report of stress and burnout. Compared to providers with no burnout,
providers with burnout had lower average PCMC scores (β= 4.55, 95%CI:-0.96 to
10.06). Burnout accounted for over half of the effect of perceived stress on PCMC.
Other factors associated with PCMC were training on stress and interpersonal
interactions with patients, facility type, and number of providers usually on duty.
Conclusions: Provider self-reports confirm sub-optimal PCMC reported in prior

studies with women and highlight the need for interventions to improve PCMC.
Provider burnout is a key driver of poor PCMC that needs to be addressed in
interventions to improve PCMC.
Presenter: Raymond Aborigo

6.25 Women’s Autonomy and Neonatal, Infant and Under Five Mortality in
Upper East Region
Background: Eight years to the set deadline for the 2030 SDGs, child mortality remain
a major health challenge in Ghana and much of Sub-Saharan. Notwithstanding
tremendous investment in women empowerment in Ghana, there is limited empirical
evidence on whether women’s autonomy translates into better child mortality
outcomes.
Objective: Does Women’s Autonomy Predict Neonatal, Infant and Under-five

Mortality in the Upper East Region of Ghana
Methods: Data was obtained from a cross-sectional household survey of women

aged 15-49 years old in seven districts in the Upper East Region. Guided by the
Principal Component Analysis (PCR), we constructed an autonomy index categorized
into terciles (Least, Moderate and High) based on respondents responses to six
questions regarding household decision-making. Bivariate and multivariate logistic
regression was used to assess the association between women’s autonomy status
and child mortality.
Results: We found a counter intuitive relationship between “women’s autonomy”

and child mortality. Moderate and higher women’s autonomy was statistically
significantly associated increased risk of neonatal mortality (aOR= 1.76, CI 1.07-
2.89) and (aOR: 1.75, 95% CI, 1.04-1.74) respectfully even after adjusting for socio-
demographic factors. Conclusion/Recommendation:
Conclusion: In this study setting other contextual factors including the role of
significant others may be more important than women’s independent decision
making in child health. Interventions that aim to impact on child mortality should
prioritize family and community level factors that promote increase utilization of
essential early childhood interventions towards the attainment of SGD3 in the Upper
East Region of Ghana and similar settings.
Key Words: Women Autonomy, Child Mortality, Upper East Region
Presenter: Sebastian Achana

6.26 Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine Resistance and Impact on Birthweight of

New-borns in a Malaria Endemic Area
Introduction: Intermittent preventive therapy using sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine

is the recommended method for preventing malaria during pregnancy. This
prophylactic therapy is widely used for intermittent preventive treatment during
pregnancy. However, there is accumulating evidence of a decline in the efficacy of
the therapy, with a consequent negative impact on pregnancy and birth outcomes.
Objective: This study determined the level of resistance of malaria parasites to
sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine among pregnant women and impact on birth outcomes
in a malaria-endemic area in Ghana.
Methods: The pregnant women, numbering 170, consisted of users and non-users
of sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine in the Kintampo area. These women were sampled
between 2008 and 2011. Allele-specific restriction fragment length analyses were
carried out on the blood samples of these women.
Results: Double, triple and quadruple mutations were observed among users (58.3%,
25.0% and 14.6% respectively) and non-users (47.3%, 21.6% and 10.8% respectively)
of sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine. Di-hydropteroate synthase mutations (K540E) were
not detected. The di-hydrofolate reductase mutation (C59R) was the most prevalent
mutation detected among the pregnant women.
Conclusion/Policy Implication: The prevalence of low birth weight was similar

among infants of users and non-users of sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine (p = 0.793).
Pyrimethamine resistance was mainly observed among the pregnant women
studied. If a future change of the combination (sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine) will to
be considered in Ghana, pyrimethaine could be replaced, however, sulfadoxine may
still be useful for preventing malaria during pregnancy.
Recommendation: Pyrimethamine may be substituted when considering a change

of the sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine combination.
Keywords: Sulfadoxine, Pyrimethamine, Resistance
Presenter: Latifatu Alhassan

6.27 Quality of Malaria Case Management in Ghana
Introduction: Effective case management of malaria through early, accurate and

rapid treatment with the recommended antimalarial drug combination is one of
the main interventions of the National Malaria Control Programme. This requires all
facilities to be able to correctly diagnose and treat malaria. We assessed the quality
of malaria case management in health facilities in Ghana.
Methods: We conducted a survey in health facilities in 33 sampled districts and

in four teaching hospitals across the country. We conducted exit interviews with
patients, interviewed prescribers and reviewed patient records on survey day. We
assessed the availability of antimalarial drugs, Rapid malaria diagnostic test kits and
other malaria related services.
Results: Overall, 68% of suspected malaria cases were tested using rapid malaria
diagnostic test or microscopy; 61% in teaching and 58% in regional hospitals. About
26% of patients who tested negative for malaria were treated with antimalarials; 56%
in teaching, 33% in regional and 24% in district hospitals. Also, 79% of suspected
malaria cases were appropriately diagnosed and appropriately treated, and 96% of
confirmed malaria cases were treated with first line antimalarials Additionally, 62% of
facilities had malaria treatment guidelines, and 78% had first line antimalarial drugs
on survey day.
Conclusion: Ghana is one of the top ten high malaria burdened countries but 79%
of suspected malaria cases were appropriately diagnosed and appropriately treated.
To improve malaria case management, health facilities across the country must
have access to basic case management tools, and malaria diagnostic testing before
treatment must improve.
Keywords: Malaria, Quality, Case management
Presenter: Thomas Anyorigiya

6.28 The Prevalence of Plasmodium Falciparum Dihydrofolate Reductase

and Dihydropteroate Synthase Mutations among Pregnant Women at First
Antenatal Clinic Attendance in the Forest-Savannah Area of Ghana
Introduction: IPTp-SP is used to prevent malaria. Its effectiveness is, however,

threatened by mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum dihydrofolate reductase
(Pfdhfr) and dihydropteroate synthase (Pfdhps) genes which confer resistance to
pyrimethamine and sulfadoxine, respectively. This study determined prevalence of
SP resistance markers among pregnant women in the forest-savannah area of Ghana.
Methods: DNA was extracted from 255 P. falciparum-positive dried blood spots
obtained from pregnant women aged ≥18 years at first Antenatal Care (ANC) clinic
visit from 2017 to 2019, amplified and sequenced to detect mutations in Pfdhfr and
Pfdhps genes.
Results: In the Pfdhfr gene, single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected in

83.1% (157/189), 92.0% (173/188) and 91.0% (171/188) at codons 51, 59, and 108
respectively. The Pfdhfr triple mutant C51I, N59R and S108N (IRN) was carried by 80.5%
(128/159) of isolates. In the Pfdhps gene, SNPs were detected in 76.2% (138/181),
33.2% (60/181), 1.2% (2/174), 0% (0/183), and 15.6% (27/173) at codons 436, 437,
540, 581 and 613 respectively. Quadruple mutant (IRN-GK) was present in 25.8%
(33/128) of isolates. Quintuple mutant alleles (IRN-GE) were detected in 0.8% (1/128)
of samples. No mutations were identified at Pfdhfr codons 16 or 164 or Pfdhps 581.
Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of Pfdhfr triple mutant infections among

pregnant women in the study area. However, prevalence of the IRN-GK and IRN-
GE prior to commencement of IPTp-SP was low, and no Pfdhps A581G mutant was
detected, indicating that SP is still likely to be efficacious for IPTp-SP in the forest-
savannah area of Ghana.
Keywords: SP resistance; P. falciparum; pregnant women
Presenter: David Dosoo

6.29 Community and Health Worker Antimicrobial Adherence in Shai-Osu

doku District
Objective: To explore behavioural factors relating to prescription adherence and the

communication of prescription adherence messages for patients with acute febrile
illness, and to develop a Training & Communication (T&C) intervention to be delivered
as part of a clinical trial.
Design: Content analysis of primary, qualitative data collection using in-depth

interviews and focus group discussions, informed by the Capability, Opportunity,
Motivation (COM-B) theory of behaviour, the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF)
and Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) approach. The study explored health workers’
antibiotics prescriptions adherence communication as well as community members’
perspectives on antibiotics use and prescription adherence. The findings were used to
develop Training & Communication Package to support adherence communication in
the intervention arm of the Clinical trial.
Setting: Health facilities and communities in the Shai-Osudoku District of Ghana.
Results: Health worker perceived factors that influence what and how prescribers and
dispensers communicate include: patients’ education level; existing disease condition;
health worker’s workload; patient’s religion; language barrier between health worker
and patient; outcome of laboratory results and medicine availability. Community
members’ adherence to prescription was influenced by the availability of money,
affordability of medicine; severity of the condition; work schedule and forgetfulness.
Conclusion: Our study reveals important factors that affect communication during
the antibiotics prescription process. Tailoring messages that meet specific needs
of patients will shape antibiotic prescription adherence behaviour and ultimately
contribute towards decreasing incidence of antibiotic resistance. We contribute to
knowledge on nesting qualitative methods in a clinical trial.
Keywords: Acute febrile illness, Antimicrobial resistance, Prescription adherence

communication, Prescription adherence behaviour
Presenter: Selase Odopey

6.30 Cultural Complexities Associated with Inappropriate Antibiotic use in Rural

Ghana
Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance is largely attributed to inappropriate antibiotic

use.
Objective: This study explored the cultural complexities associated with inappropriate
antibiotic use in rural Ghana.
Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in the Kintampo Districts of Ghana between
January and June, 2017. A total of 32 in-depth interviews; 16 among antibiotic dispensers
and 16 among community members were conducted. Six focus group discussions were
conducted among 40 community members. Data was thematically analyzed.
Results: Respondents do not know what antibiotic are and their names. Colours were
major facilitators of identifying antibiotics. Antibiotics were referred to as “red and yellow”
[amoxicillin or tetracycline], “green and blue” [Loperamide], “white” [chloramphicol], and
“Red and black [Flucloxacillin]. Medicines in capsules were referred to as “Topaye” (throw
[to] and it burst [paye] in your stomach). Antibiotics were referred to as “Topaye” because
most of them are in capsules.
The name “Topaye” and specific colours were sometimes combined to easily identify
specific antibiotics. “Topaye red and yellow” [red and yellow capsule], “Topaye black and
red” [black and red capsule]. Referring to antibiotics as “Topaye” appears to be confusion
as some medicines that may not be antibiotics were mentioned as part of antibiotics
because they were in capsules. Identification of antibiotics by colours appears to create
confusion as some antibiotics have similar colours.
Conclusion: Lack of knowledge on antibiotics and identification of antibiotics by colours

appears contribute to inappropriate use.
Recommendation: There is the need for public health education on appropriate

antibiotic use and standardization of appearance of antibiotics to optimize use.
Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, inappropriate antibiotic use, Ghana
Presenter: Samuel Afari-Asiedu

6.31 Using Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Nurses (CHNs) for Home
visits to Pregnant Women, to Improve Maternal and Newborn Health in Ghana
Introduction: Most maternal deaths in the world are recorded in Low and Middle-
Income Countries (LMICs). Home visits offer opportunities to educate pregnant
women on care practices and safer delivery options.
Objective: To review and synthesize the evidence on the effects of home visits on
pregnant women and investigate CHW/CHN partnerships for home visits, improved
skilled attendants at birth, and other health outcomes for mother and baby.
Methods: First, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted. Medline,

Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for published data on trials that
assessed the effects of home visits. Then a cluster-randomized controlled trial was
conducted where, after an intensive community mobilization, CHWs provided three
follow-up visits to pregnant women enrolled in ten intervention zones. Women
in control zones had usual care. Independent assessors collected data on health
outcomes after delivery for the intention to treat analysis.
Results: The systematic review did not find a study where CHWs partnered with
other cadres to conduct home visits. The results showed that home visits to pregnant
women led to improvement in SAB (OR1.5 (95% CI: 1.2, 2.0) and other care practices.
However, the pooled data in a meta-analysis did not show a statistically significant
difference in overall neonatal mortality among intervention and control arms (Pooled
RR: 1.002 (95% CI 0.922, 1.089).
The field trial had widespread acceptance among community members, with 952
women participating. CHW-CHN partnerships led to high Skilled Attendant at Birth
among the intervention arm, 98 percent, and controls, 89 percent. In addition, there
was a statistically significant difference in the effect of home visits on SAB among the
intervention arm compared to the controls (Odds Ratio, OR: 5.24, 95% Confidence
Interval, CI: 2.70 to 10.17), and with a statistically significant p-value of <0.001.

Regarding neonatal indicators, breastfeeding initiation was significantly affected

by the home visits (OR 2.89 (95% CI 1.21, 6.90), p=0.001) as well as BCG vaccination
statuses at month 1; OR 3.10 (95% CI 1.73, 5.56), P=0.001.
Conclusion: CHW/CHN home visits to pregnant women led to improvements in

some care practices for mothers and babies. Innovative approaches where trained
health staff and clinically oriented cadres such as CHNs partner with CHWs during
home visits could lead to better health outcomes in LMICs. Community mobilization
was identified as an essential contributor to the successful fieldwork. Further research
on the cost-effectiveness and cost benefits of these partnerships is needed.
Keywords: maternal deaths, community mobilization, skilled birth attendants
Presenter: Marion Okoh-Owusu

6.32 COVID-19 Vaccine Readiness and Hesitancy among Adults in SSA:

Current Burden and Determinants of Hesitancy
Introduction: The World Health Organization identified vaccine hesitancy as one

of the ten main threats to global health. There is very limited data on the extent
and correlates of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among adults living in sub-Saharan
Africa since the global roll-out of vaccines. Understanding current beliefs will help
develop strategies to promote the intention to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and
to overcome vaccine hesitancy and refusal.
Objective: To investigate COVID vaccine risk perceptions and other predictors of

readiness to get vaccinated.
Methods: We conducted surveys among 2833 adults residing in 9 urban and

rural areas in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania in late 2021. We
conducted descriptive and inferential analyses and identified factors associated with
vaccine hesitancy and believing or being unsure about the truthfulness of COVID-19
falsehoods.
Results: We completed a total of 2833 interviews. Among all respondents, 9%

had never heard of a COVID-19 vaccine, 12% had been vaccinated, and 20% knew
someone else who had been vaccinated. The prevalence of vaccine hesitancy varied
by country (Ethiopia 29%, Burkina Faso 33%, Nigeria 34%, Ghana 42%, Tanzania
65%), and by rural or urban context. People who did not think the vaccine was safe or
effective, or who were unsure about it, were more likely to be vaccine hesitant.
Those who reported they did not have a trusted source of information about the
vaccine (aRR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.18,1.31) and those who thought the vaccine would not
be made available to them within the year were more likely to be vaccine hesitant.
Women were more likely to be vaccine hesitant (aRR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.19,1.43) and
believe COVID-19 falsehoods (aRR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02,1.08). The most commonly
believed falsehoods were that the vaccine was developed too fast and that there
was not enough information that the vaccine worked.

Conclusion: Educational campaigns targeted at misinformation and tailored to suit

each country at both national and sub-national levels are recommended to build
trust in COVID-19 vaccines and reduce hesitancy.
Policy Implication: Inconsistent vaccine supply in sub-Saharan Africa may contribute

to vaccine hesitancy. Global systems to ensure reliable vaccine supply can support
both health system planning and potentially improve individual perceptions about
the vaccine.
Recommendation: There is a need for targeted approaches at the national and

sub-national level to reduce vaccine hesitancy, and specific material tailored to the
concerns and motivations among women are needed. National vaccine campaigns
must consider gender in their design given the potential reasons for hesitancy and
barriers to access. This is especially important given the majority of the global health
workforce is female and thus deserves priority access to vaccines.
Keywords: COVID-19 Vaccine hesitancy, determinants of hesitancy, sub-

Saharan Africa
Presenter: Sulemana Watara Abubakari

6.33 COVID-19 Knowledge, Attitude and Accountability of Vaccines: An

Exploratory Study of Greater Bolga- Navrongo Area
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic ravages the world, with Ghana not an
exception. A vaccine provides the best hope for a permanent solution to controlling
the pandemic. WHO indicate that there are currently more than 50 COVID-19 vaccine
candidates in trials, with several other potential vaccines under development.
However, to be effective, a vaccine must be accepted and used by a large majority of
the population. This study documented the level of community knowledge, infection
rate and acceptability of COVID-19 vaccine among persons living in 5 selected
districts in the Upper East Region.
Methods: Mixed methods and a cross-sectional design was used to interviewed and
collected sputum samples in the month of May 2021from the communities. Samples
were tested at NHRC laboratory, quantitative data was analysed using Stata 15 while
themes were generated for qualitative data using NVivo 12.
Results: We interviewed 1035 participants across five districts. Of this 526 provided
sputum samples for covid-19 testing which were all PCR negative. Median age of
the participants was 34.0 years (IQR18.0 – 89.0) and 59.1% of the participants were
females. The overall percentage of participants with a good knowledge, good
Attitude and good practice on covid-19 characteristics, mode of transmission, risk
groups and preventive mechanisms was 64.5%, 43% and 60.1% respectively. 70%
of the participants stated they would take a vaccine if available but only 24.5% were
ready to be part of a covid-19 vaccine trial.
Health workers and people of age 60+ years were identified as categories to prioritize
covid-19 vaccination on with 85% saying they would prefer to receive the vaccine at
the health facility. The Radio was identified as the most trusted source of covid-19
information.
Conclusion: Participants had good knowledge and practices and this probably
influence the PCR negative results.
Presenter: Francis Broni

6.34 The Impact of COVID-19 on Access to Maternal and Child Healthcare

Services in the Middle Belt of Ghana
Introduction: COVID-19 is one of the most challenging public health crises that has
severely affected essential health service provision and utilization including access to
maternal and child health services (MNCH).
Objective: This study was conducted to assess the impact of the pandemic on MNCH
service utilization in the middle belt of Ghana.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from September to December

2021 across six districts in the Bono East Region. Interviews were conducted among
randomly selected household members above 17 years and resident in the KHDSS
area. The data was analyzed using STATA (v.14).
Results: Out of the 4,864 household members interviewed, the majority (61.7%)
were females. Most respondents were between the ages of 18 and 30 years. Thirty
percent (30%) of respondents had no education. Also, 54.4% of the respondents
live in rural communities, and 41.1% were farmers. Approximately 80%, 76%, and
79% of respondents reported that COVID-19 did not affect access to childhood
immunization, antenatal care services and sexual and Reproductive Health Services,
including Family Planning. The main reason for not seeking care was due to fear of
being infected with COVID-19 at the health facility (36.1%), 70.5% were from rural
communities.
Conclusion/Policy Implications: COVID-19 did not affect access to MNCH services

significantly. Fear of contracting COVID-19 at the health facilities was the main reason
people did not utilize healthcare services.
Recommendation: Public health education should focus on young people and rural
residents to allay their fear of getting infected with COVID-19 at health facilities.
Keywords: COVID-19, Access, MNCH
Presenter: Cletus Kubasari

Editorial Team
1. Abraham Oduro
2. Ivy Osei
3. Sybil Sory Opoku Asiedu
4. Mary Duffie Osei
5. Hubeidatu Nuhu
6. Daniel Boateng
7. Angela Asah
8. Edith K. Wellington
9. Helen Akaba
10. Naa Korkor Allotey


Documentation, Dissemination,
& Advocacy Department
Research & Development Division
Email: [email protected]
Website: ghs.gov.gh
Tel: 0302-960-628
GA-050-3303
020 8181442 / 0244 473413

[email protected]

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NATIONAL

2022 National Research Disssemination Forum I 01

6.1 Health Service Capacity Assessment in the Context of the COVID-19

6.2 RTS,S Malaria Vaccine: From Research to Policy.......................................................27

6.3 COVID-19 Vaccination Trials in Ghana.......................................................................28

6.6 Improving Pre-Discharge Postnatal Counselling Using a Context Specific

6.7 Challenges and Facilitators to the Provision of Sexual, Reproductive Health

6.10 Reporting Adverse Events Following Immunization in Ghana: Health Care

6.11 Assessment of Compliance to Policy Guidelines on Hazardous Healthcare

6.12 Evaluating the Implementation of Ghana’s Infection Prevention and

2022 National Research Disssemination Forum I 02

6.13 Improved Access, Delayed Accreditation, Low Recognition: Perspectives

6.14 Preceptorship Practice in Health Care Institutions in Ghana: Situational

6.15 Mentoring in Primary Healthcare Facilities: An Evaluation Case Study of

6.16 A Study of The Knowledge and Perception of Pharmacists in Ghana

6.17 Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Hospital

6.18 Carotid Atherosclerosis, Microalbuminuria and Estimated 10-year

6.19 Determinants of Health Seeking Behavior in Jasikan District, Ghana ..............47

6.20 Barriers to Accessing Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Services among

6.21 Patient Safety in Ghanaian hospitals: A Situational Analysis...............................49

6.22 Birth Preparedness and Compilation Readiness among Women

6.23 Antenatal, Intrapartum and Postnatal Care: A Prospective, Longitudinal

2022 National Research Disssemination Forum I 03

6.24 Factors Associated with Provision of Person-Centre Maternity Care Role

6.26 Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine Resistance and Impact on Birthweight

6.27 Quality of Malaria Case Management in Ghana......................................................57

6.28 The Prevalence of Plasmodium Falciparum Dihydrofolate Reductase and

6.29 Community and Health Worker Antimicrobial Adherence in Shai-Doku

6.30 Cultural Complexities Associated with Inappropriate Antibiotic use in

6.32 COVID-19 Vaccine Readiness and Hesitancy among Adults in SSA:

6.33 COVID-19 Knowledge, Attitude and Accountability of Vaccines:

6.34 The Impact of COVID-19 on Access to Maternal and Child Healthcare

2022 National Research Disssemination Forum I 04

Accordingly, the RDD-GHS holds an annual National Health Research Dissemination

The 2022 NHRDF theme is “Generating Evidence to Support Health Service

2022 National Research Disssemination Forum I 05

this year’s National Research Dissemination Forum.

We, therefore, look forward to a fruitful discussion on each of the presentations.

Dr. Abraham Oduro

2022 National Research Disssemination Forum I 06

The sub-themes of the over-arching themes were inspired by the various

The sub-themes are: Health Policy, Service Delivery, Health Management

The dissemination forum provides researchers/scientists the opportunity to share

2022 National Research Disssemination Forum I 07

Time Agenda Presenter

2022 National Research Disssemination Forum I 08

12:20 – 12:40 Improving Pre-Discharge Postnatal Counseling Dr. Ivy Osei

2022 National Research Disssemination Forum I 09

Institutions Ghana: Situational Analysis

2022 National Research Disssemination Forum I 10

FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2022

Time Agenda Presenter

2022 National Research Disssemination Forum I 11

2022 National Research Disssemination Forum I 12

2022 National Research Disssemination Forum I 13

She is also a seasoned hospital leadership

2022 National Research Disssemination Forum I 14

2022 National Research Disssemination Forum I 15